On page 62 of Madison Grants book, "The Knife in Homespun America" there's a picture and description of a knife he calls, the "Majestic Butcher knife" I think it's obvious that this knife was made for task other than just butchering. The style looks like it's more for fighting, hacking and slashing. Here's the writeup on the knife

Quote:
"Majestic butcher knife. Perhaps with few equals. The overall length is sixteen and one half inches and the curving blade has the suggestion of clipped point which came into later use as a characteristic of the popular bowie style. Brass linings are between the tapered tang and the horn grips which are mounted with brass tulips which act as washers for the three brass rivets. The hand fitting handle terminates in a rudimentary bird head that in turn is capped with brass buttons. Quite an unusual piece."


Wouldn't it be neat if someone would resurrect this old knife so that it could once again be carried and used?

   

Could it be true that you Mr. LaClair plan to do just that?   :confused:

Wow, a Bowie, a Gurkha and a machete had a baby...

Killdeer  

QuoteCould it be true that you Mr. LaClair plan to do just that?  

Actually it's gone just a little past an idea.... How does the   Shrew BushWhacker sound? It'll have the brass tulips on  walnut slabs over the tapered tang,1/4" 10" blade, 15" overall.    

I hope to have something to show at the Kalamazoo Expo the end of this month  

 

That is pretty awesome man.

Thats cool,I love how you keep it real.Now how about some longhunter bibs?

My thats a big one!!!

Now that's a knife!

I think I want one! Do want my order now or must I wait?

OK ENUFF TEASIN I WANNA SEE IT FINISHED!

That will be a real chopper! I like that you are scaling it down a little. The proportions will be good for prolonged use, although I would be sure and curve the inside radius where your index finger goes against the choil. Just for comfort is all.

These old knives really show the old timers skills and imagination. I look forward to seeing your interpretation. I love these projects. Lin

Awesome Ron ... where can i order ? lol ...

I think the guy who originally designed that knife understood that a curved edge was a much more aggressive cutter than a straight edge.
I believe you're right, Ron, "....it's obvious that this knife was made for tasks other than just butchering. The style looks like it's more for fighting, hacking and slashing".
Gonna be neat to see it finished.
It's great to see all of you guys over here who posted on this as well.
Visit more often!!

Gotta love those old books, that one and many others are on my book shelf along side many hunting greats. I find myself getting them down to peruse every so often.

Gonna be a nice one Ron, looking forward to the finished product.

I've been talking by phone to Art Vincent of Cedar Ridge Leather Works about a sheath for this knife. I'm going to be sending a blade blank out tomorrow to him and if things go right I'll have a "Bush Whacker" knife and sheath on my table at the Kalamazoo Expo the end of this month.  

I'm headed out for the  Kalamazoo Expo today but here's the update on the knife. I think he did a great job resurrecting this old knife. He even aged the brass bolster and tulips on the handle.

   
 

Wow Ron that is pretty sweet!  I am looking forward to checking that out tonight.  See ya in a few hours.  

I got the knife in hand this morning and I must say that the first thing I wanted to do was go out and cut down a cherry tree...except I ain't got a cherry tree... Laughing

Here's the knife with the sheaths that were made for it. The lighter color is rawhide

 

This is Carlton Matteo the Blacksmith wearing the knife.

 

Here's sheath #2. Both of these sheaths were made by Art Vincent, Cedar Ridge Leather works especially for this knife.

 

This sheath rides higher and you can wear it in a cross draw. You can tell bt his aggressive expression that Carlton likes this one.

 

My compliment to the blacksmith and to you Mr LaClair for bringing this one to life. Great job.    Lin